Bond Angles

[Alex Dayrit 3B]

Do we have to memorize bond angles?

[Quynhanh Nguyen 1C]

Hi! Yes, we do have to memorize bond angles as a part of VSEPR. It's easiest to learn the bond angles and VSEPR shapes all at once because if you memorize how each shape is formed, the bond angles will come naturally. Hope that helps!

[Nico Towfighian 3L]

Yes, but they arent that bad, just think of it in simple geometry, trigonal planar has 120 because 360/3=120, that's why in trigonal bipyramidal also the 3 atoms in the equatorial region also have 120 bond angles, as well as a 90 between the equatorial and the axel atoms

[Kaira Shibata 1E]

Hi,
Yes, but when you memorize it alongside shape it helps you actually understand the structure. Once you have the bond angles, you can somewhat imagine the spacing of the different atoms.

[Joan Moci 1J]

Yes, you need to memorize bond angles but if you know the shape it's not that difficult. If a molecule is linear its 180, trigonal planar it's 120, and tetrahedral it's 109.5. For trigonal bipyramidal it's 90, 120 and 180 because the axial atoms are 180 degrees from each other and 90 degrees from the equatorial atoms and the equatorial atoms are 120 degrees from each other. For octahedral it's 90 as the atoms are 90 degrees from each other (180 degrees across). If you can visualize the shape then you can reason out the bond angle without having to really memorize them.

[Arjan G 2H]

I believe that it will be helpful to have a rough idea regarding the bond angles for different types of molecular shapes. For example, remembering linear structures have 180-degree bond angles, trigonal planar molecules have bond angles of about 120, and that tetrahedral molecules have bond angles of 109.5 degrees. It is also important to remember that the number of lone pairs on the central atom affects the bond angle and shape of a molecule. Although I don't believe you need to memorize every exact bond angle, it does help to have a rough idea of them when you are given a molecular structure. I hope this helps!

[Grant_2A]

It would be best to just have a good idea of what bond angles are associated with certain VSEPR structures, but beyond that I would say there is no need to delve into the deep specifics!

[Neha Mukund]

We do have to memorize bond angles ) atleast the basic ones such as Tetrahedral = 109.5, Trigonal Planar = 120, Linear = 180, etc. When dealing with a lone pair that pushes down the atoms in a molecule however, you can also just say the bond angle will be less than the bond angle for whatever the electron arrangement is of the molecule.

[Molly Smith 1J]

Yes, we do have to memorize bond angles for certain shapes. These shapes include tetrahedral, trigonal planar, etc. (the ones without lone pairs). The shapes that do include lone pairs we do not have to memorize the bond angle for because the lone pair- bonding pair repulsion causes angles that are not "set". For those shapes, you would estimate the bond angle based on the electron density shape.

[Chris Van 2J]

Hi there, yes, you should memorize most of the bond angles for the shapes. However, if you forget the bond angles, you can usually figure them out using math such as trigonal planar which has 3 bonding regions, thus 360/3 =120 degrees.

[RJ Lopez 2l]

Yes, we have to memorize bond angles, it its also important to understand that bond angles can be less than what is expected. For example, Bent or angular geometry have less than a 109.5 degree angle (<109.5(, however, if the VSEPR equation is AX2E2, it is a even greater difference (<<109.5 degrees)

[205686400]

Yes, but rather than memorize them I recommend you look at some 3D models to solidify your understanding as to why the bond angles are what they are. This way even if you forget the angles themselves, you'll know how to find them again.

[Quinn W 2A]

You should memorize the bond angles for all of the molecular shapes we need to know.

[Erin Woolmore 1C]

Hi! For bond angles, you have to memorize them, but it's not too bad! I think spending time with molecular shape problems is beneficial as to understanding why bond angles are the way that they are, especially when lone pairs are introduced and you end up with bond angles that are "less than" a number due to the stronger repulsion from the lone pair electrons.

[BB Dis 1H]

Yes we do have to memorize the bond angles. I found it really helpful to memorize the bond angles for the more basic structures first. Then, for the complicated ones you can look at what parts are similar to the more basic ones and determine the angle. For example, with trigonal bipyramidal you can easily recognize the 90, and then the other part is similar to trigonal planar which has 120 degree angles.

[Ryan Lafferty 1L]

Yes, I would memorize bond angles for the molecular shapes we are expected to know.

[Ashrita Singh 2F]

Yes, but it is easy to remember as long as you keep in mind that a full circle is 360 degrees. You can just divide 360 by the areas of density typically.

[Brooklyn Burgess 3L]

Angles become smaller with lone pairs

[elletruchan2I]

Hi Alex!
Yes, you do have to memorize bond angles, but you can use common sense to try to figure them out to an extent.

[cnyland]

Yes, memorizing bond angles is crucial for the final.

[JafarriNocentelli 1G]

Besides for the final, I think that memorizing bond angles would be a good skill to have moving forward, especially for organic chem where many structures will be observed